Mitch Albom

U-M 31, MSU 24: I have no X and O reason for this, only the observation that pendulums swing, and that Michigan continuing to stumble against the Spartans can't go on forever. Whenever you start to bank on a pattern in sports – "they've won five straight times" – that's when it stops. So on karma alone, it's time for Maize and Blue to win one.

Jeff Seidel

U-M 17, MSU 14: Yes, I’m assuming that Michigan takes care of the ball and doesn’t turn it over five times like last year. In the end, Michigan will come away with the victory after making just a few more plays than the Spartans.

Shawn Windsor

U-M 20, MSU 13: It's tempting to go with the Spartans here. They're home. They found something at Penn State. They've got Mark Dantonio. He's got magic. But the Wolverines have more talent and the best defense in the Big Ten.

Chris Solari

U-M 20, MSU 19: This no longer is a way for the Spartans to salvage their season after their upset of Penn State. This is a chance for them to maintain control of their destiny to play for a Big Ten title, which more than likely will come down to Saturday’s winner and defending champion Ohio State. A potentially rainy afternoon appears to favor the Wolverines and their run game, where MSU has struggled. However, it will be tough for either team to build much offensive momentum against these defenses. The Spartans escaped their mistakes last week, but one turnover against U-M ends up the difference in a slugfest from the Big Ten days of yore.

CLOSE

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio speaks with the media leading up to his team's game against Michigan.
Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press

Nick Baumgardner

U-M 17, MSU 14: This has been one of the toughest games to pick in recent memory. On paper, Michigan is the better football team. The game isn't played on paper, though, and Dantonio's record against U-M is ridiculous. I picked MSU in the summer, but things have changed. Both defenses are top notch. MSU's offense is rough. Michigan has been building. I wouldn't be surprised by either outcome, but I can't pick a game based on mind games alone. Logically, Michigan should win this.